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Local churches collect 8,000 pounds of food

This is part of the people food chain at the United Methodist Church. The donated food was passed to a waiting truck outside. (Star Gazette photo by Jane Lightbourn)1 / 2

Hastings Family Service Food Shelf Director Mary Kocak, second from left, is surrounded by Hastings United Methodist Church members Colleen Tharp, Pam Andrews and Kim Tharp. (Star Gazette photo by Jane Lightbourn)2 / 2

It was a friendly challenge between two Hastings churches and the winner was the Hastings Family Service food shelf during this MN FoodShare Month.

The two churches’ pastors, Chris Kneen of the United Methodist Church and the Rev. Greg Geier of St. Philip’s Lutheran Church, challenged each other’s church to collect the most food for March, which is MN FoodShare Month. All the food and cash donations would be designated for Hastings Family Service.

As of earlier this week, more than 8,000 pounds of food and some cash has been collected and delivered to Hastings Family Service. St. Philip’s delivered more than 1,800 pounds of food and more than $3,000 in cash.

At Sunday’s United Methodist Church services, church attendees formed a line and passed the food items from the sanctuary to the waiting truck outside. More than 6,300 pounds were delivered Sunday.

And what is the prize for the winning church? At one point of the discussion, having a pie in the face of the losing pastor would be the prize. That has been changed.

Now, Kneen and Geier will have pie at Emily’s Bakery and Deli this week.